Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Kalanchoe

Q. I kept a kalanchoe plant inside during the winter, took it out in spring. It is green and thriving, but has no flowers on it. Any ideas why?

A. Three factors immediately come to mind. Are you feeding it. What amount of light are you providing? Has the temperature been warm lately?

Kalanchoe are succulents, loving heat and dryness as a cactus does. They need lots of bright warm sunlight to bloom. Shaded plants will get lush and green but produce no flowers. So, place it where you can give it the most heat and light, even all day long. Make sure that nearby branches and leaves are not shading it.

Water the plant only when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Any more may cause rot and lessen the chance of flowering. Be sure that the soil is fertile and well-drained. The plant when water-stressed is more apt to bloom.

Feed the plant...this is absolutely necessary. Give it a general house plant/outdoor gardening food. Follow the directions exactly and provide it at least once every 3-4 weeks. Do not go heavy in the first number of the formula, as this is nitrogen which promotes green foliage at the loss of flowers.